Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer

Reflection: The church is now in the season of Lent – traditionally a time for Christians to set time aside for self-reflection and self-betterment; a time to take stock of one’s spiritual materials and to ask God to help you increase in them in anticipation for remembering again Jesus’ death on Good Friday – and of course, His Resurrection on Easter. When taken seriously, Lent can be a heavy time spiritually.  But Lent can also be a time to let go of those things which burden us and weigh us down in spirit.  And Lent can be a time when we may find we are lifted in spirit by the hope which is ours through our faith. 

Throughout this Lenten season, our scripture focus will be mainly on the Psalms – many of which are songs and prayers of lament and thanksgiving for God and God’s consistent presence with us.  This is our hope for every day and for every situation we face in life.  Psalm 91 is our reading for this Sunday and it’s all about this hope. In it, God promises the faithful protection and help in dangerous times and a “lift up” by God’s angels who will help them take flight. 

Psalm 91 contains some of the most beautiful and hope-filled language in all of scripture.  And it’s timeless, too: It provided hope for the ancient Israelites in times of exile wrestling; one may imagine it provided hope for Jesus in his time of wilderness testing; and it can provide hope for us still in times  when we may be tempted to give up on our faith, questioning: “Does God care? Is God even still there?”